06/04/2026
June 4, 2026 - Moving Forward as the Grass Grows
Every hour of every day, we're moving towards accepting cubs once again. After weeks of rain, the grass is finally taking hold and growing in enclosures 5 and 6. With that, finishing touches can be completed, and the team is currently putting posts in the ground for further bear-suited platforms.
"Platform structures are an ideal spot for cubs to play, relax, socialize, and sleep. Being off the ground, they provide a sense of security to the cubs and even help them practice and develop climbing skills that will prove to be invaluable later in life for foraging," Lead Curator Seth Wyckoff says.
And, all the while, Seth has become so good at growing grass in the new enclosures that even his socks are growing said grass while he mans the new platforms.
"Building the structures is a whole ordeal in itself. The first step is simply walking the enclosure grounds and finding the right location. Things like area size, sunlight exposure, collage cover, soil consistency, root density, and observation availability are all considered when picking a location," Seth continues.
Next up? Planning what shape and size the platforms will be. "Depending on the clearing size and tree density, certain shapes and sizes have to be selected to fit the space. Unlike in the past, we now are committed to building the platforms completely off the trees, as to promote the longevity of both the tree health and the platform integrity."
We're living and learning and growing at ABR and, as Seth says, it's important to us to ensure the health of the entire ecosystem at our facilitiess, not just for bears.
Curator Seth has started the building process by digging the 44” deep holes for the support poles to rest in. Each pole is 12 feet long and 8 inches in diameter, making it a very heavy piece of wood to carry. The sheer weight of the poles provide structural stability and resilience to the abuse they will have to withstand from the cubs.
On top of being buried deep in the clay, curator Seth is also anchoring each pole with a construction grade foam that provides the same anchoring function as concrete.
Once all the poles in enclosures 5 and 6 are anchored into the ground, the rest of the platform can be quickly built.
We'll continue to keep you updated every step of the way, and sincerely appreciate your support, patience, and unrivaled sense of community. As soon as all our partners and teams are ready to share further good news, you will all be the first to know.
In the meantime, we've re-stocked a lot of best-sellers in the Gift Shop. Manager Sarah is doing a phenomenal job of ensuring that side of things continues on strong, and we're incredibly grateful for all her hard work.
To visit our online store and shop, go to:
https://appalachian-bear-rescue.myshopify.com/
Or, please come see us in the Visitors Center & Gift Shop at Trillium Cove Shopping Center off East Lamar Alexander Parkway on Highway 321 in Townsend, address: 121 Painted Trillium Way.
Every purchase helps ABR forward, so thank you all for everything you do as part of the ABR family!
